Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes
Learn about life with type 1 diabetes with Rufus in his fun app!
Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes, has provided comfort and companionship to newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for over 25 years.
Rufus is a cuddly friend given to children when they’re diagnosed with T1D. He comes in JDRF’s KIDSAC, which is a backpack filled with helpful information and resources for the whole family.
Rufus shows children they’re not alone while learning to live with T1D, helping families be brave as they learn a world of finger pricks and injections, and makes learning about T1D fun!
Now it’s even better, as Rufus has launched his very own app.
The free mobile companion app opens up a new world of learning and playing for you and your child with T1D. By helping Rufus manage his diabetes, children gain hands-on practice with counting carbs, monitoring BGLs, and dosing with insulin using virtual diabetes care tools.
Our curriculum is co-designed with doctors, educators, and families to create educational content kids love.
Here’s some of what you’ll find in the app
Check Rufus's BGLs
Help Rufus check his BGLs by lancing his finger and adding a test strip to the glucometer. When his BGL goes high or low, Rufus speaks his symptoms, encouraging kids to recognise how they feel.
Rufus's kitchen
Feed Rufus a healthy diet to help him feel his best. Or give him junk food - it’s all about choices! Learn about the impact carbs have on BGLs, and carb counts for basic foods.
Give Rufus his insulin
Use Rufus's virtual insulin pen or pump to dose insulin. Learn about injection site rotation by using the injection sites on Rufus’s arms, legs, belly and butt.
FAQs about Rufus’s app
Who is Rufus?
Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes, is a cuddly friend given to children on diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. He shows children they’re not alone while learning to take insulin and check their BGLs. He’s been supporting Aussie children living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) for over 18 years!
Can I order the new Rufus for myself/my child?
Unfortunately, the newest Rufus bear is only available to children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from 2022. The good news is that you can still use his app with your much-loved Rufus at home, or without a bear altogether! There are suitable options for all circumstances.
Is my device supported?
Rufus the Bear is built to be compatible with a wide range of device and operating systems.
Rufus the Bear supports iPhones and iPads running iOS 11.0 or later, and most smartphones and tablets running on Android 4.4 and later.
I don’t have a new Rufus. Can I still use the app?
Yes, you can still use Rufus’ app! Simply turn off augmented reality under settings and you can interact with an animation of Rufus.
Alternatively, you can use the augmented reality setting with your “Classic Rufus” or favourite stuffed animal by first selecting the tool you’d like to use, lining up the patch or body part in the outline, and then tapping on the tool icon to take a photo with your camera and launch Rufus’ diabetes tool kit!
Rufus’ lessons are not medical advice. Any content in his world should not be used in place of a medical professional. Please refer any changes in your T1D management to your diabetes care team.
